Read about various behavioral problems that premature babies may develop as they grow. In general, the most premature babies are more at risk.
Learn about possible outcomes for premature babies.
Learn about what a premature baby needs to eat and how they can get proper nutrition.
A premature baby is susceptible to infection because their immune system is immature. Read more about infections and the immune system of premature babies.
Very premature babies are at risk for metabolic bone disease, a condition that affects their bone health and increases the risk of fractures.
Learn about respiratory distress syndrome, a common condition in very premature babies.
Although many premature babies do not encounter any academic problems, some do. For example, up to 50% of very low birth weight (VLBW) babies will have some problems in school by Grade 3.
Read about apnea of prematurity, which is a condition in which premature babies take unusually long pauses (usually more than 20 seconds) between breaths.
Read about intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), or bleeding in the brain, in premature babies.
Learn about the definition of and the causes and medical conditions associated with prematurity.
Learn about the common causes of chronic lung disease in premature babies and the ways to diagnose and treat it.
The recommendations in this article are for parents who are expressing and storing breast milk for their hospitalized babies. Breast milk acts as a medicine in babies who are sick or premature, and has the right nutritional balance for your baby.
The SickKids Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) provides care for newborns up to four weeks of age. Find information about life in the NICU, conditions that affect newborns and premature babies and what to expect when leaving the NICU.
Learn about anemia of prematurity, what causes it and how it is treated.
Babies can feel pain. Learn about ways pain in newborns and babies can be assessed and techniques that can help ease pain.
Read about pain assessment in babies (from newborns to one year olds). Both behavioral reactions and physical reactions to pain are assessed.
Your goal is to work with your child's teacher to get the best education for your child. Your child has the right to attend school and if you feel they're not getting a "fair shake," get involved with the administration.
Learn about how newborns and infants are safely transported from a community hospital or nursing station to a hospital that can provide the necessary expertise to care for sick premature or term babies.
Learn about patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in premature babies and the treatments available for it.
All babies are born relationship ready. Babies are also born with attachment-based behaviours (crying) that cue their caregiver when they are in distress and need them close. Learn how the baby’s cry and the caregiver’s response to the cry develops the attachment relationship.
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a rare but serious disease that affects the bowels of premature or newborn infants. Learn more about the symptoms, causes and treatment of the condition.
Learn about how families and the health-care team work together to make important decisions about the care of babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
Learn about your newborn baby's nutritional requirements and how to successfully feed them.
Learn all about your newborn baby's eyesight, hearing, and senses of taste, touch and smell.
Learn about RSV immunizations and how they can protect individuals from respiratory infections caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
